UNIVERSITY PARK — Tay Evans could have simply batted down Desmon White’s pass in the backfield.

It would have been just another great play by an Allen linebacker in a 51-36 victory against DeSoto on Saturday.

Evans, who had been menacing DeSoto’s junior quarterback most of the evening, instead managed to intercept the low pass 6 yards behind the line of scrimmage. He broke a tackle and returned the ball 40 yards for a touchdown.

“I saw it coming and just jumped up and grabbed it,” Evans said. “I wanted to get it.”

Evans’ touchdown all but buried DeSoto, which trailed, 41-14, at that point midway through the third quarter of the Class 5A Division I state semifinal.

The unusual play highlighted an impressive night by Allen’s linebacker corps. Evans also had a sack on DeSoto’s first series — the first of four sacks by Allen linebackers.

Zack Bishop, Nick Cobb and Anthony Walker each sacked White once, and all came on third or fourth down to end DeSoto possessions.

“Those were big, and it’s one of those things where you dial up the stunt and it worked correctly,” Allen defensive coordinator Cory Cain said.

Cobb’s sack came on fourth-and-goal at Allen’s 5-yard line. DeSoto had put together a 13-play drive and was on the verge of its first points when Cobb blew past the blockers and tackled White.

“We read our keys and played hard,” Cobb said. “DeSoto is a very athletic team, and we just fought. When we saw something open up, we took it.”

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